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Illinois Football: 5 Illini players to be excited about after spring practice

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Illinois Fighting Illini band members cheer on the football team during the Big Ten Conference game as the Illini take on the Michigan State Spartans on November 5, 2016, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Illinois Fighting Illini band members cheer on the football team during the Big Ten Conference game as the Illini take on the Michigan State Spartans on November 5, 2016, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 04: Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker James Knight (10) just misses making a tackle as Purdue Boilermakers running back Richie Worship (34) runs into the open field during the Big Ten Conference game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Purdue Boilermakers on November 4, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 04: Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker James Knight (10) just misses making a tackle as Purdue Boilermakers running back Richie Worship (34) runs into the open field during the Big Ten Conference game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Purdue Boilermakers on November 4, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. James Knight

I believe there are quite a few players on this Illini team who weren’t highly rated but can make a big impact on the program moving forward. One of those players who I enjoyed watching last season was James Knight.

Knight is a 5-foot-10, 205-pound linebacker for this Illini ball club. He came in from East St. Louis High School which is known for being a hotbed for talent. Knight was terribly overlooked coming out of high school, though. Illinois was one of two offers for Knight; the other one being Western Michigan.

What is one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, though. Illinois snagged an extremely underrated player in Knight. He came in last season and played in every game for the Illini and even started one at the linebacker position. He took the time he received and made the best out of it. That is the type of player I love on this Illini team.

Knight was used in a few different ways in spring practice and I could see him being that way when the season rolls around too. He can play the traditional linebacker role, but he can also step out and cover wide receivers as well. This will enable Lovie and Hardy Nickerson to have more flexibility with the defense.

Illinois still has some work to do on the defensive side of the ball, but I really like what they are building. Getting players like Knight, who put everything into the game, is going to benefit the team greatly. This spring practice really showed how far Knight has come with his game.

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